Ruatapu | |
|---|---|
 Ruatapu, with Lake Mahinapua shown in the foreground, and the Tasman Sea in the background. | |
  Ruatapu | |
| Coordinates: 42°48′21″S 170°53′20″E / 42.80583°S 170.88889°E | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Region | West Coast |
| District | Westland District |
| Electorates | West Coast-Tasman Te Tai Tonga |
| Time zone | UTC+12 (NZST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+13 (NZDT) |
| Postcode | 7883 |
| Area code | 03 |
| Local iwi | Ngāi Tahu |
Ruatapu is a small town in the Westland District in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand. The town's name stems from Ruatapu, a figure in Māori mythology. The town is located on a narrow strip of land between the Tasman Sea and Lake Mahinapua, a shallow lake that was originally a coastal lagoon. State Highway 6 runs through Ruatapu, connecting it to the nearby towns of Hokitika and Ross. The town's economy is based upon agriculture, as well as a large sawmill, operated by Westco Lagan, which mills Radiata Pine for further processing in Christchurch.[1]
- ^ Operations – Westco Lagan Limited. Retrieved 18 June 2012.